Wellington Phoenix will welcome Auckland FC to Sky Stadium for the first ever New Zealand Derby in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday. This is how we got here.
From flyovers and billboards, to a pitch invader, an hilarious petition and player statements. There’s been plenty of mind games and banter in New Zealand.
Since their foundation 17 years ago, Wellington Phoenix have been New Zealand’s sole representative in the Isuzu UTE A-League. But there is a new kid on the block this season – Auckland FC.
This weekend, Wellington and newcomers Auckland will go head-to-head for the first time since the Black Knights’ inception for season 2024-25.
It is a top-of-the-table clash. Auckland will put their 100% record on the line against the unbeaten Phoenix, who sit second through two rounds.
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Wellington Phoenix’s hilarious petition as NZ rivalry gets off to a flyer
Let’s rewind eight months.
In the hilarious petition, the Phoenix called for the New Zealand Government to move the Wellington border more than 700km up State Highway 1 to ensure the club’s fans are supported.
“It’s fair to say Auckland doesn’t have a great track record in professional football, unlike Wellington,” Phoenix general manager David Dome said prior to the club’s final match in Auckland in March.
“The Phoenix are unbeatable at Eden Park and it doesn’t make sense Saturday’s match will be our last home game at the venue.
“Bringing Tāmaki Makaurau into the Wellington Super City will ensure our loyal supporters can continue to cheer on the Nix.”
Wellington Phoenix petition to have Auckland included in ‘Greater Wellington’
The Wellington Phoenix are calling for the New Zealand Government to move the Wellington border more than 700 kilometres up State Highway 1 to ensure the club’s fans are looked after.
This change… pic.twitter.com/etI4T9bUTC
— Wellington Phoenix
(@WgtnPhoenixFC) March 14, 2024
Dome added: “We’ve made the difficult decision to give up the Far North in the spirit of good sportsmanship.
“And when the border is moved our fans in the Far North would only have to make a short trip down State Highway 1 to be in Wellington and support the Phoenix.”
The Eden Park pitch invader
Barely 73 hours after the announcement of Auckland’s name, there was the curious case of the pitch invader at Eden Park.
During Wellington’s clash with Sydney FC, a man ran onto the pitch in what was then a yet-to-be-released Auckland FC jersey. Some suggested the league’s newest club were involved in the incident, which was denied.
Auckland later shared footage of the pitch invader, before removing the social media post.
“We’ve removed the post, and we in no way support people who run onto the pitch,” Auckland CEO Nick Becker said via NZ Stuff at the time.
“All we’re trying to say is we support the passion for football and the support that we’re going to get for our club.
“There’s nothing else to say on the matter. The post is now removed.”
Becker added: “The intention was a bit of fun.
“Sport and entertainment is about having a bit of fun and bringing some joy and that’s what we intended to do. We didn’t intend to look like we were supporting the people involved.”
The former Phoenix star who joined Auckland
Alex Paulsen announced himself at Wellington Phoenix.
Originally from Auckland, Paulsen moved to Wellington to join the Phoenix Academy in 2018 due to a lack of professional football opportunities.
Last season, the New Zealand international enjoyed a breakout campaign as he helped the Phoenix reach the Semi-Finals before earning a transfer to Premier League side Bournemouth.
Paulsen has played an important role in Auckland becoming just the second team in Isuzu UTE A-League history to win their first two matches and the Black Knights signing the goalkeeper on loan has only added fuel to the fire ahead of his reunion with the Phoenix in Wellington.
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“Auckland is my home, and I haven’t had many opportunities to play in my city and in front of my friends and family. I’m really excited by the opportunity to return to my hometown and continue to develop as a player,” said Paulsen at the time of his arrival in August.
“There is so much excitement around the club and what we’re building here. I’ve only been home for a few days and I’ve seen people walking around in the new home strip and you can feel the energy around the club and the city.”
‘The biggest club in New Zealand’
When Stefan Colakovski was unveiled as a Phoenix player three weeks ago, the 2021 Championship winner immediately stoked the fire.
After departing Perth Glory for the Phoenix, Colakovski – who has played in derbies with Melbourne City – threw some shade in the direction of Steve Corica’s Auckland.
“Obviously how Wellington did last season was amazing,” said Colakovski. “(Giancarlo Italiano) is a fantastic coach and I think even more importantly, from what I’ve heard, he’s a fantastic person.
“I think everyone wants to work with fantastic people. Doesn’t matter what job you’re doing. So there’s that.
“Last season they were close, and I’m hoping I can add that extra little edge to win something this year.”
That flyover in Auckland
Saturday’s blockbuster showdown at Sky Stadium is set to be box office, especially after a cheeky message from the Phoenix on Sunday.
During Auckland’s 1-0 win over Sydney FC, a plane was spotted circling overhead with a banner which read : “NZ is Yellow – see you next week!”
After the Round 2 matchup, Steve Corica was asked about it.
“I missed it, I just missed it! It was about next week wasn’t it?” laughed Corica when discussing the banner.
“It’s going to be the first ever derby so it’s going to be something special. The fans are very passionate about the derbies, the players are (too) and we want to put on a good performance.
“It’s about going there, putting on a good performance and picking up three points but I’m sure it’s going to be a difficult game, a physical game as well.”
Shots fired outside of Go Media Stadium
There was plenty happening a week out from the historic derby.
It was not just the plane. Outside of Go Media Stadium, “NZ IS YELLOW” was shown on a billboard at the Auckland venue.
The stage is now set for an epic first meeting in world football’s newest rivalry.
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